Trinity Put Four Past Below-Par Girton

Trinity 4 – 0 Girton

Trinity came out on top of a snowy encounter, putting 4 goals past a committed Girton outfit.

Both sides went into the game with a point to prove. Trinity were hoping to mount a late challenge on Downing, while Girton were desperate to lift themselves out of mid-table obscurity. The importance of the fixture was reflected in its cagey opening, neither team stamping their authority on the game in its early stages. As the snow began to fall, the game opened up, with mistakes creeping into both teams’ play.

However, it was Girton who took the initiative, a sumptuous ball from skipper Stone cutting the Trinity defence into ribbons. Blues forward Matt Cook brought the ball down nicely but missed the target with a delicate attempted chip.

Girton’s midfield continued to produce chances; a diving header from Spanish sensation Miguel San Antonio had to be turned around the post. It was, however, Trinity who opened their account first. A loose ball in midfield was picked off by left back Matt Smith who initiated a counter-attack with a 40 yard pass along the left touchline.

A low cross was met by the right boot of Dany Gammall, who made no mistake from inside the 6-yard box. Taking the lead seemed to inspire Trinity and only a flurry of fine saves from Girton shot-stopper Mike Blake prevented them from increasing their advantage.

The teams went in for half-time with the score at 1-0 to Trinity.

Girton emerged from the changing rooms rejuvenated after some inspirational words from the side’s senior members. Within the first 5 minutes of the half, the ball fell to Cook just outside the 18-yard area. Showing some silky skills, Cook beat one defender and was just about to shoot when he was tackled from behind. The referee, however, judged it to have been a fair tackle, even as one of the Trinity back four was overheard commenting “on another day that would have been given”.

Trinity Fresher Rick Totten began to cause Girton’s midfield all sorts of problems. Slowly asserting his authority on the game, he started to break up Girton’s midfield play, swinging the game in Trinity’s favour. So bad did it get at times for Girton that they resorted to conceding cheap free kicks just to break up Trinity’s play. Totten then coolly slotted a pass through the Girton defence to The Tab’s favourite Trinity rapper, striker Ozzie ‘Zeeko’ Akushie. Akushie made no mistake, duly finishing off his one-on-one with the keeper.

Both teams made a series of substitutions, Girton bringing on one man in response to Trinity’s five. Replacement left-wing Matt Cole worked well on Trinity’s left wing, allowing left-back Smith to deliver a beautiful cross into the box. Striker Gammall saw his effort parried by Blake, the ball finding itself thrust out to the feet of the merciless Akushie, who prodded home for his second of the game.

Despite being 3 down and with only 15 minutes to play, Girton refused to roll over, continuing to produce some clear-cut chances. However, their aggressive approach made them vulnerable to the speed of Gammall on the counter-attack. Gammall seized on a clearance from his centre-half, using his pace to beat the Girton defence. His clinical finish was the final nail in Girton’s coffin.

Girton’s failure to convert their chances cost them in the end. Seb Graves summed this up in a post match interview with The Tab, claiming that “Football was the real winner today. Both Girton and Trinity pursued a purist form of the game that led to many chances. The final scoreline is somewhat harsh towards Girton’s performance”.

This result has set up a close finish to the season. Trinity, who have yet to face Christ’s and Fitzwilliam, will be hoping that Downing slip up in their final two fixtures. Girton, on the other hand, now seem to be the Liverpool of Cambridge. Having been knocked out of Cuppers and well and truly out of the title race, they are playing for little more than pride. Their fixture with Jesus still promises to be electric though.

For The Tab’s exclusive photos from this match, click here.